Connected or Interactive Fitness: You Can Have Both!
What is Connected vs. Interactive Fitness? The future of fitness (*ahem*) I mean, now, it’s here.
Does my fitness space need it? Yes, yes, it does.
How do I choose? Don't choose; you can have both.
First, let’s break down your space. This is commercial, yes? Meaning you have a client, member, or guest—whoever—facing fitness space, and in some way those users pay to play—either by membership fees, amenity use with reservations, monthly rent, or HOA dues. When it comes to staffing, there are no specifications; the fitness space can have a front desk manager and trainers or be completely unstaffed to include interactive and connected fitness.
Here is the push: many users come to work out and never speak to anyone, whether you’re fully staffed or not. These are the people you want to connect with. P.S. They make up more than 71% of fitness members. They come to the gym with a goal in mind. They are laser-focused due to time constraints and concentration. They recharge and blow off steam as they get their workout in without talking to anybody.
Alright, so you have the space; you have the users; now how do we engage? How do you connect with them without breaking their rhythm and give them something to come back to?
Let me introduce you to the future of fitness: connected and interactive fitness. Are they the same thing? Kind of. Can I choose one over the other? Sure.
Should I include it in my fitness space? ABSOLUTELY.
Let’s take a closer look at Interactive Fitness.
Interactive fitness refers to exercise activities or equipment that incorporate technology to engage users in an interactive and immersive workout experience. This can include various forms of technology, such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), gamification elements, sensors, and interactive displays.
Interactive fitness aims to make exercising more enjoyable, motivating, and effective by providing real-time feedback, personalized workouts, and immersive environments. Examples of interactive fitness include interactive video games that require physical movement, VR fitness experiences where users can explore virtual environments while working out, and connected fitness equipment that tracks performance metrics and adjusts workouts accordingly.
Overall, interactive fitness adds an element of fun, engagement, and personalization to traditional exercise routines, making it appealing to a wide range of users, especially those who appreciate an immersive experience and gamification to bring some excitement to their workout.
Traditional fitness users may miss the tried-and-true equipment and reps lost in the Interactive Fitness landscape, and that is where Connected Fitness comes in to complete the story.
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Hey there, I’m Connected Fitness.
Connected fitness refers to the integration of technology into traditional fitness equipment and activities to enable tracking, monitoring, and sharing of workout data and metrics. This technology typically involves the use of sensors, wireless connectivity, and software applications to collect and analyze data related to a user's exercise routine.
Connected fitness devices can include items such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, heart rate monitors, and exercise equipment with built-in sensors and connectivity features. These devices capture various metrics, such as heart rate, calories burned, distance traveled, and workout duration.
The data collected by connected fitness devices can be synced to smartphone apps or cloud-based platforms, allowing users to track their progress over time, set goals, and receive personalized recommendations for workouts and nutrition. Additionally, many connected fitness platforms offer social features that enable users to share their achievements, compete with friends, and participate in virtual fitness challenges.
Overall, connected fitness technology aims to enhance the exercise experience by providing users with real-time feedback, personalized coaching, and motivation to help them achieve their fitness goals.
Meeting the Future Now
The beauty of Interactive and Connected Fitness is the advancement these modalities have brought to the industry. Exercise and fitness are part of life. There is always a need to push more activity into people’s daily lives; maybe it’s a sport, a doctor, a loved one, or even a job requiring more activity. The scientific community has found unwavering evidence of improved health and longevity with increased activity. But—and let’s be clear, that’s a big BUT—new generations are becoming increasingly sedentary due to tech advancements. More and more resources are literally at our fingertips, and if needs are within reach, that doesn’t require a whole lot of movement to get them.
So how do we incentivize physical activity? How do we get people engaged in a fitness community? We meet them right where they are—with technology.
It's clear that making space for technology in fitness is how we will continue to be useful to meet the needs of future generations and stay relevant for current users. Innovation and demand are meeting in fitness in the Interactive and Connected Fitness space. These dynamics refresh existing gyms with state-of-the-art equipment to engage with users and add excitement to the workout floor.
Want to know more about:
You gotta meet Echelon. Where Connected and Interactive Fitness Meet.
Connect Today at echeloncommercial.com & sales@echeloncommercial.com
Commercial Fitness Sales Leader | Revolutionizing Fitness Centers with Connected Solutions | Master of Dad Jokes
6moGreat article with good insight. These are terms thrown around today by just about everyone. Echelon certainly has the right to define these for us.